Brandon Township

Douglas County, Minnesota

Brandon Township Meeting, Monday, October 20, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Brandon Township Board was held on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008 at the Brandon Auditorium with Don Buse, Paul Lauthen, Michael Cleary, Diane Smith and Adrian Ledermann present.

The meeting was called to order by the chair, Don Buse at 8 p.m.The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Clerks Report:The minutes of the September meeting were addressed.The minutes were approved after the following correction was made under Old Business, a."Cleary wanted to go on record stating that, in the absence of the one for all and all for one cost sharing, he would not accept an ad volarum tax being charged to Phase II for the capital cost of the Phase I and Phase III projects and that he would vote to opt out of the CLRSD if such a decision was made by the CRLSD." Motion to accept minutes was made by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen, and carried.

Treasurer’s Report:Beginning balance as of 09/01/08 was $28,524.47.Interest from Revenue on account at Bremer was $3.50.Other income was $347.50.Orders issued totaling $7,616.46, for a total ending balance of $21,259.01.Investments reported included Tar & Road Fund received $86.21 in interest to total $52,212.59; CD renewed for three months received $431.43 in interest and now totals $57,869.66; and CD renewed for 6 months received $8,160.05 and now totals $170,915.10.Motion made by Lauthen, seconded by Cleary, to approve report; carried.

Sewer Project Information:a. Buse reported from CRLSD that the legal advice given to the central board will not add the ad volarem tax to Brandon Township for the Phase I and III projects.The all for one and one for all is still under consideration for phase I and II.The order to go ahead with bids for the Lobster lake area has been held up because of sewer pipe and rite of way on roads issue.Buse reported that the Board has contracted with Wenck Associates to do needs study of the Brandon area.

b.Jim Adams reported that the committee had received responses from 10 firms to do needs study.The committee interviewed 4 firms, and recommended Wenck and Associates.The special CRLSD meeting on Oct. 16 voted to engage Wenck for the study.Peter Miller from Wenck Associates then gave an outline of their procedures indicating they will begin immediately to look at the area, gather facts and figures, and present these to the Central Board.A budget of $40,000 - $60,000 has been set to complete the study.If winter does not come too soon, the field work is expected to be completed this year and a report generated by spring.Miller then responded to questions from the audience and the board.

c. Paula Shelander presented a new petition from the Tanglewood residents.This new petition will be certified by the board before any further action is taken.Other comments followed including comments thanking the board for taking the step back and examine route and comments asking the Brandon Board to opt out of CLRSD now.

No further board comments were made.

Old Business:a.Township web site is being improved; contact us messages can now be received, meetings will include minutes and agendas, and policies/resolutions info can now be added.Further tweaking is still needed.

b.Info on township policies were reviewed.The policy on road right of way needs further info.Ledermann will check with the county for additional information before posting Brandon Township policies on the web site.A concern was brought up about railroad ties being placed at 7620 on E. Whiskey Lake Rd.The clerk was directed to send a letter to the resident located there.

c. Ledermann reported that Lakes Area Planning Agency will be looking at county wide support for Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission after the elections.

d.Lauthen reported on his attendance at the FEMA meeting, indicating that two areas in Brandon Township need attention (Moon Lake and north side of Stowe Lake).The county will administer the program.

New Business:Land use permits were reviewed.Cleary has called Dave Rush, County Land and Resource Director requesting a list of inspected sewer systems in the township along with results.Cleary also requested that sewer information be complete on the land use permits that we receive.

b. MATIT and COUNTRY INSURANCE CONTRACTS were reviewed.On a motion by Lauthen, seconded by Cleary, and carried, the MATIT(Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance and Bond Trust) contract for liability and bond trust was approved.A second motion made by Cleary, seconded by Lauthen and carried approved the accompanying resolution.Resolution # 10-20-2008:Be it Resolved by the Town Board of Brandon Township that the town board hereby formally applies for membership in MATIT and MATTIT programs.The clerk will forward the materials to the state office.

c.Township road system map was reviewed.No changes were made.

d.General election on Nov. 4.The public accuracy test will be conducted on Oct.23 at 4:30 p.m. along with Brandon City.Diane Smith was appointed head judge for the general election.Also appointed were the following judges:Marsha Bolin, Don Buse, Mike Cleary, Gaylin Croonquist, Janelle Eddy, Paul Lauthen, and Adrian Ledermann.Smith will set up schedules.